Asked by: Jonathan Lord (Conservative - Woking)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase the availability of GP appointments in Woking constituency; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Dan Poulter
The vast majority of patients can get appointments and are satisfied with their general practitioner (GP) but we know more needs to be done. This is why we are offering 7.5 million more people extra evening and weekend appointments as well as email and Skype consultations.
We also understand that a recent small survey by Healthwatch highlighted Woking as an area where there was a potential issue with booking and arranging appointments which are convenient to patients. Following this, we are advised that Surrey and Sussex Area Team agreed to meet with the Health and Adult Social Care Committee and Healthwatch to set up a working group to look at areas which could be improved with regard to access to GP services.
Asked by: Jonathan Lord (Conservative - Woking)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the availability of augmentative and alternative communication aids for sufferers of motor neurone disease in (a) Surrey and Sussex and (b) England; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Norman Lamb
Since April 1 2013 NHS England has been responsible for commissioning Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) aids for patients with complex disability whose needs require specialised assessment, including for patients with motor neurone disease (MND). Commissioning of non-specialised AAC aids is the responsibility of local clinical commissioning groups.
NHS England has published a service specification for specialised AAC aids that sets out what should be in place for providers to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services and supports equity of access to a nationally consistent, high quality service for patients across the country including in Surrey and Sussex. The specification can be found at:
www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d01-com-dis-equ-alt-aug-comm-aids.pdf
NHS England has identified an additional £22.5 million funding for AAC and Environmental Controls in 2014-15. They have been working closely with the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) to ensure this funding is equitably distributed across England in a fair and consistent manner. The MNDA are representing all patients on the panel which is reviewing this funding allocation.